Mbbape to Madrid official, Klich on Team of the Matchday, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Happy Tuesday, everyone! It’s feeling a lot like summer outside, and the humidity is finally upon us, so I think I will be staying inside to the extent possible. I may need to find somewhere to watch the USWNT game, though; hoping to see a few more Spirit players on the field.
Real Madrid’s next steps: Kylian Mbappe’s arrival kicks off a new Galacticos era for Champions League winners (CBS Sports)
I’ll admit I don’t have much of an opinion at all on the big news of the day that we already knew. Seems like the most likely result is “dominant team stays dominant,” to me. Am I way off base here?
D.C. United exercise in-season buyout on defender Mohanad Jeahze (D.C. United)
Also in the category of news we already knew that is now official.
In addition to getting complimented by LeBron, Robby Dambrot’s goal has been nominated for USL Championship Goal of the Week:
Team of the Matchday: New York City FC, Real Salt Lake enjoy goalfests (MLS)
I’m a little surprised to see anyone on D.C. United on this lineup after a somewhat messy tie, but Mateusz Klich made the cut.
In other local news, Annapolis Blues set an NPSL record for attendance at this weekend’s match. 11,171 is a pretty big crowd!
USWNT boss Hayes promises ‘a lot of changes’ for second match vs. South Korea (Pro Soccer Wire)
Hayes previously hinted that Alex Morgan would be playing in tonight’s game, and it sounds like there will be other changes to the Starting XI as well. I’m really hoping for Hal Hershfelt to get her first cap!
Why Atlanta United dismissed Gonzalo Pineda & what’s next (MLS)
Atlanta United are hoping they can still turn their season around.
Toronto’s pro women’s soccer team unveils its crest, with kickoff set for next year (The Star)
I don’t think we’ve talked much, if at all, about the new professional women’s league starting in Canada next year. The league will be the Northern Super League, consisting of 6 founding teams. Toronto FC is the second to unveil their branding, after Calgary Wild FC released an owl crest last week.
USWNT’s Tierna Davidson balances quiet leadership with speaking up for LGBTQ+ representation (The Athletic)
I enjoyed this profile of Tierna Davidson, who’s been on and around the USWNT for a long time, but has mostly stayed out of the spotlight.
NPSL games mean there are a few mid-week matches for our schedule.
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Frederick vs. Grove Soccer United | Tue., June 4 at 7 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | – |
| Alexandria Reds vs. Virginia Dream | Wed., June 5 at 7 p.m. | Alexandria, VA | – |
That’s all from me. Share your own thoughts and Kicks in the comments, as always!
Thanks, as always, Annie. Looking for to USWNT v South Korea tonight and hoping that we’ll see Aubrey Kingsbury and Hal Hershfelt tonight.
I’d also like to see Sam Staab get a start next to Girma.
Might use this as a match thread for the second Korea friendly, should be interesting
For those watching tonight’s USWNT game:
https://x.com/USWNT/status/1798127590471037429
Only Casey Krueger from the current Spirit, but Forever!Spirit Sam Staab gets her first ever start!
Yep, just got in in time. Gotta say, not a fan of Albert getting anything but spot starts, and I don’t know what she could really do to change that
Ten minutes in, and the attack is basically not working. Morgan is a blunt object, Lavelle isn’t in a great position to cut inside at the moment, and Shaw is not getting the ball in good spots
And yet, Dunn scores the opener im the the 13th minute, starting the move and finishing a Nightswonger cross
Based on play so far, almost twenty minutes in, I don’t see how you can justify Morgan making the plane
And yet, I suspect she will
I’m willing to give it a slim chance that Hayes shows her maverick cred and leaves her off. It would be an incredible waste of a roster spot
I’m still in the mind that the Olympics should strictly be a U23 tournament for both men and women.
The right side of Kruger, Dunn, and Lavelle is starting to churn out good stuff, a shame Morgan is mostly ending the mojo
Don’t know what else to say. There’s some really good interplay, but Morgan has lost all semblance of danger. She’s not connecting the two halves, despite good interplay all around her. Staab just had a better shot than I’ve seen her do in ages, and it was a miss
Sonnet just missed narrowly, as well. This is bizarro world, but if you’ve noticed Morgan’s decline for the national team in the past years, it’s not a surprise, it’s a nadir
I honestly don’t know why she’s still coming to every camp she’s healthy for.
I guess there may be serious locker room considerations, but what upsets the off field dynamic more, ditching Morgan unceremoniously for bad form, or denying incredible talent from coming through in tournaments?
Maybe, but the rosters for the Olympics are ridiculously small, 18 players. There really isn’t space for someone for “locker room considerations”.
I think part of it is that Macario was basically out the last two years. And given the style of play the US has kind of evolved to, who is your #9 if it isn’t Morgan? I”m a believer that the best #9 for the US right now is either Smith (because she’s not a good winger), Lynn Williams, Macario, Shaw, even Rodman. But none of them fit the traditional US model of a big #9 who is strong in the air (because the US has often lacked creativity). I too believe that Morgan is way down the depth chart and especially on a small Olympic squad, doesn’t fit.
Deep breath in, NOne of them HAVE to be the absolute definition of your ideal of a center forward. They can interchange, and having one central, almost static threat isn’t even necessary, especially for aerial crosses that don’t even have to be a staple of the overall strategy.
I think you’re still thinking of Wambach. She was way better as that target forward than Morgan has ever been, in aerial ability, hold up play, and touch. She also arguably was a better finisher, certainly for longer in her career.
Morgan isn’t anything any one thing anymore, ditching anyone you mentioned above for her is dumb
I’m not looking for a perfect model here. As I said, Smith is probably the best #9 at this point for the US: she finishes like no-one else, she’s super quick, has great close-control in tight space. But you give up a lot in the air if she’s your center forward. So that’s the question–are you OK with that?
In short, yes.
Hate to do this, cuz I think Alex Morgan was once a great player, so harping about how bad this is is not enjoyable, but it’s the big story- does she make the plane, and if so, what possible role would she play in a successful tournament in this era?
I think she needs to keep playing, maybe even go the distance and keep this up to see herself out the door. My fear is that Hayes yanks her at halftime, and uses the limited minutes as a screen to say “eh, not a great half, but a massive player.”
We have the potential to have an incredible attack and depth even with 18 spots.
Grim.
A little over 60 minutes and Hayes has seen enough. Swanson, Smith, and Rodman all in, Horan gets a rest as Coffey comes in as well.
Maybe Morgan is on the depth chart behind those three phenoms, maybe. Shaw deserved better
Oh, wow, Shaw is still in, and immediately a much better chance for her as Smith makes a dynamic play
Wow, what a finish by Smith. Rodman drives in, surprisingly imperfect pass to Swanson, who flicks it backheel for a difficult opportunity for Smith. She finishes from an extreme angle.
Man, I know there are some on this blog who don’t think Smith is a good enough passer or hold up player or some (forgive me) nonsense, and maybe those aren’t her strengths, but only in comparison to her superhuman abilities with the ball in her feet, her incredible speed, and the dizzying finishing prowess
I think you’re referring to me. My take on Smith is she either needs to be the #9 or be part of a 2-forward setup. She’s not a good winger or outside forward in a 433 (or some other 3 front-runner setup). She’s a superb finisher. So the question then is if you’re comfortable with her as the #9 and give up some impact in the air.
Read the above about how we don’t need a static 9.
I’m not even saying a single target forward is a bad thing, but having what we could have is better. Smith is either a starter in the mix in every game, or an obvious player off early off the bench to destroy tired defenses.
Agreed we don’t need a static, starts every game and plays 90, #9. That said, unless she was fatigued or heart–why wouldn’t you play Smith every game? The only circumstance I can think of is one where a team is playing a low block and bunkering, crowding the penalty area and forcing us to rely more on crosses and aerial threats. Even then, I’m not sure who the next choice would be (Shaw?) in that situation. Maybe Williams?
Tournaments have a famously short turnaround. If it’s a must win and she’s healthy, Smith should start. Same with Swanson and Rodman. Shaw and Williams are my backup.
I think Hayes will pick Dunn over Williams. I’m not saying I agree with that, only that Hayes knows Dunn well and probably thinks she’s the best at playing a more complex, creative scheme against a packed defense. I think Williams is more versatile and matched up well with Rodman as a pair of terriers on the high press.
When we have the quality of Rodman, Swanson, and Smith on the field, the driving lethality of our attack is sometimes unreal.
I think you bring Williams who can keep up with this, and the rest is gravy
Lily Y. with a really nifty move to get in position to shoot or spread the play, an incredible fingertip reaction from assisting Rodman
A jawdropping diagonal pass the died in Rodman’s path again from Lily. Incredible talent, clearly
Glad to see her getting a cap! She’s been great so far
And she scores.
This is it, I think. She’s gonna be an American
Rodman with a strong assist. That’s a lot of creativity in two players, if they both can be on the field
Lily reminds me a lot of Xavi in his prime. She’s 16.
Korean goalie might have used the last of her nine lives on a strong Swanson save
Wow. I know there were some eyebrows raised when Lily initially got called in, but I see it. One of those players that has incredible passing range while having an aura of press resistance that will stop many from even trying. Smart movement, goodness, dangerous option.
It would be cruel to choose between her and Lavelle, but when you have 18 spots, might literally be a thing